Muse lodges plans for £45m Blackpool office hub

Muse has filed plans for a £45m office development for a public sector occupier in Blackpool’s £350m Talbot Gateway masterplan. Full planning permission is sought for a 52,950 sq ft office building off Talbot Road, which is expected to bring more than 1,000 additional employees into Blackpool town centre. The land, on the site of the former Apollo 2000 store, sits within the boundary of the Talbot Gateway development around Blackpool North train station. According to planning documents, the offices will be developed “on behalf of a public sector/government organisation”, which has not been disclosed. Blackpool Council and its development partner Muse jointly said they are in “advanced discussions” with the occupier. The office would mark the fifth phase of the Talbot Gateway development. Mark Smith, councillor and cabinet member for levelling up (place) at Blackpool Council, said: “This is another major step forward in our plans to make Blackpool better and boost our local economy. “The area around the train station was previously a desolate area in desperate need of regeneration. Over the last 10 years we have regenerated it into a desirable location for businesses looking for quality office space on the Fylde coast. Our initial ambition and investment to build the earlier phases of the Talbot Gateway has led us to be in this position where more organisations are approaching us to help them move their jobs into the town centre. “In turn, that has a huge potential for the private sector to continue to invest in Blackpool, creating more opportunities for business and creating more year-round, well-paid jobs for local people.” Alan McBride, technical director at Muse, said: “The fifth phase of Talbot Gateway will provide a further catalyst for Blackpool’s renaissance, helping to spur additional economic growth in the town by delivering yet more future-proofed workspace to benefit business in the region. “Our long-standing partnership with Blackpool Council has already played a pivotal role in the regeneration of the town, and this development would mark yet another notable staging point on the journey towards reframing this iconic seaside destination.” Phase one, including new grade-A offices, Sainsbury’s supermarket and an upgraded 650 space multi-storey car park, was completed in 2014. The second phase, consisting of a 144-bed Holiday Inn hotel and Marco Pierre White New York Italian restaurant, opened on 1 May this year. A tramway extension, interchange with the train station and surrounding retail units are due to open next month. Phase three, comprising a Civil Service Hub office for more than 3,000 government workers, is under construction and expected to open in 2025, while planning consent has been granted for a “Multiversity” campus for Blackpool and the Fylde College in phase four, with capacity for up to 3,000 students and staff. Images © Muse Developments